26 August 2012

Courting ethnic votes is a delicate game for Quebec's leaders - The Globe and Mail

It is rarely seen in Quebec election campaigns, but a staple of every
federal party’s tour: The leader visits Chinatown, a Sikh temple or
some other ethnic community institution, sometimes even donning a piece
of traditional garb in a gesture of respect.
They are politicians
courting ethnic votes, to be sure, but even in the days when minority
voters in federal elections were overwhelmingly and steadfastly Liberal,
Conservative and NDP leaders alike made such stops to demonstrate
openness ...

While Mr. Charest has criticized Ms. Marois’ Charte de la laicité, targeting religious symbols, his own government has picked targets, drawing up legislation meant to discourage the wearing of veils in public institutions.